failed
Didn't come through
Failed describes something that did not succeed or has ceased to function properly.
A failed attempt didn't achieve its goal.
A failed state can no longer perform basic governmental functions.
A failed marriage ended in divorce.
The word often marks someone who didn't succeed at their intended role: a failed actor, a failed businessman.
Failed can also describe mechanical breakdown: a failed engine, a failed kidney.
Not achieving desired outcome
- ineffectiveLacking power to achieve
- futileIncapable of producing results
- fruitlessProducing no useful outcome
- abortiveFailed before completion
botched · bungled · miscarried · stillborn · doomed · ill-fated · flop · fiasco
Minor system fault
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- bugCrawling creature or defect
- errorFault in communication
- defectInherent imperfection or fault
crash · misfire · short-circuit · jam · outage · dysfunction · corruption · fault
Inability to pay debts
- liquidationSelling assets for cash
- defaultPreset standard option
- foreclosureLender seizes mortgaged property
- receivershipCourt-ordered asset management
restructuring · Chapter 11 · creditors · debts · debtor · insolvent · arrears · delinquent
Sadness from unmet expectations
- letdownFailure to satisfy expectations
- heartbreakCrushing emotional pain
- regretSorrow over past actions
- dismayDistressed loss of courage
dejection · discouragement · demoralized · disheartened · crestfallen · despondent · downcast · frustrated
Defeated completely
- conqueredDefeated and took control
- beatenHaving lost a contest
- overcomePrevail against difficulty
- overthrownOusted from authority
crushed · routed · subdued · overpowered · bested · outplayed · outclassed · trounced
Complete change of direction
- relapseReturn to former illness
- stumbleLose footing momentarily
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- hindranceBarrier to progress
snag · blow · misfortune · regression · retreat · stumbling block · derailed · stalled
Below required quantity
- deficientHaving too little
- lackingBeing without something
- subparBelow acceptable quality
- unsatisfactoryNot good enough
unfit · incompetent · incapable · unqualified · wanting · flawed · faulty · imperfect
unsuccessful
Not achieving desired outcome
- ineffectiveLacking power to achieve
- futileIncapable of producing results
- fruitlessProducing no useful outcome
abortive · botched · bungled · miscarried · stillborn · doomed · ill-fated · flop · fiasco · bust
glitch
Minor system fault
defect · crash · misfire · short-circuit · jam · outage · dysfunction · corruption · fault · snafu
insolvency
Inability to pay debts
- liquidationSelling assets for cash
- defaultPreset standard option
- foreclosureLender seizes mortgaged property
receivership · restructuring · Chapter 11 · creditors · debts · debtor · insolvent · arrears · delinquent · collapse
disappointment
Sadness from unmet expectations
- letdownFailure to satisfy expectations
- heartbreakCrushing emotional pain
- regretSorrow over past actions
dismay · dejection · discouragement · demoralized · disheartened · crestfallen · despondent · downcast · frustrated · bitter
vanquished
Defeated completely
overthrown · crushed · routed · subdued · overpowered · bested · outplayed · outclassed · trounced · checkmated
reversal
Complete change of direction
hindrance · snag · blow · misfortune · regression · retreat · stumbling block · derailed · stalled · floundered
insufficient
Below required quantity
unsatisfactory · unfit · incompetent · incapable · unqualified · wanting · flawed · faulty · imperfect · substandard
- brokenbroken, busted, broken down, out of order, not working
- financial ruinbankrupt, bankruptcy, bust, busted, broke
- losing phrasesgame over, you lose, lose out, defeated, beaten
- malfunction termsbroke, crashed, froze, glitched, jammed
- nonfunctionalbroken, malfunctioning, inoperative, out of order, nonfunctional
- statusespending, active, approved, inactive, completed
failedsucceeded
Achieved desired outcome
successful · achieved · triumphant · accomplished · victorious
failedworking
In active function
functioning · functional · operational · running · intact
- without failCertainly, every time
- heart failureInadequate blood pumping condition
- power failureLoss of electrical service
- engine failureLoss of motor function
- grid failureElectrical network collapse
- failed statesCountries lacking functional government
fail, failure, failing, fails, unfailing, failures, unfailingly, fail-safe, failed state